Nicole Farhi SS12 – London Fashion Week

Nicole Fahri’s show took place at the Royal Horticultural Society, the perfect venue for this vibrant Spring/Summer 2012 collection inspired by flowers. Mesmerised  by the profusion of flowers in full bloom she saw in a garden in New Delhi, the designer explored this theme with great success. The collection is clean, crisp, refreshing. Flowers are everywhere, from the tulip-shaped skirts and dresses, to the inevitable floral prints cultivated with a twist though, through pixelated oversized blooms, to cut outs and 3-D leather laser-cut flowers, to the colour palette that explores all botanical tones: marguerite white, rose, camelia and lily pink, calendula orange. As in many collections this season, yellow and white play a great part.
The silhouette is impeccable, as were the super sleek ponytails. The cut is very neat, graphic, yet deeply feminine, softened by the curved shape of skirts and dresses. Shiny tuniques and skirts directly inspired by rose treillis added a daring touch to the collection. The designer, who will celebrate the 30th birthday of the brand next year, said she wanted to use flowers, not in a romantic way but rather modern and almost sporty.
The show ended with a with a stunning white swimsuit, fully embroidered with petals, worn with a open front floor-length skirt, and white ankle-strap wedges. The silhouette we will all want next summer, simple and stunning.

Laurie Guillem